The journey to Qatar 2025 intensifies as four third place finishers prepare to fight for the final two African slots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in this Saturday’s high-stakes play-offs at El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco.
With the quarter-finalists of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations already guaranteed a place at the global showpiece, these play-off fixtures represent a second chance for four teams who narrowly missed out on a top-two finish in their groups.
Uganda making a second appearance at the continental showpiece will go toe-to-toe with Gambia in a match that pits aspiration against pedigree.
Uganda, who are chasing their maiden qualification to the U-17 World Cup, have turned heads at this year’s AFCON with a spirited display of organisation and attacking intent.
For Gambia, a nation with World Cup experience at youth level in 2005 and 2009, Saturday’s clash is a chance to reclaim its place on the global stage.
The Young Scorpions bring resilience and experience, but they’ll need to dig deep against a Ugandan side hungry for history.
Africa will have a record 10 representatives at the global event, including the four semi-finalists already qualified from the expanded U-17 AFCON.
